Wind measurement using direct detection LiDAR

Precise wind speed measurements at heights in the 0-200m range are crucial for the selection of appropriate sites for wind energy farms. Currently the industry depends on meteorological towers with mechanical and sonic, local, wind sensors. At Pentalum, a Rehovot based start-up, we have developed a remote sensing wind measurement LiDAR which allows measurement of the full vertical wind profile from a ground based device. Our technology is based on direct detection and correlations in contrast with the prevalent Doppler scheme.

In this talk, I will describe the basics of the direct detection technology and show some wind measurements from various sites around the world. I will also go into some physical / optical challenges we have encountered and discuss how we are addressing them.